Lumbar Support For Commuters & Road Warriors

Every commuter is in some way a road warrior. We spend part of our morning in the car trying to get to the office, and then party of every evening trying to get home.  For those whose business is done from their car, this commute time is multiplied 10 fold. All of this time in a seated position, often a slightly uncomfortable position, can put a lot of stress on the back, especially the lower back. This is known as your lumbar spine. Being that your lumbar spine supports the rest of your spinal cord, it is important that you provide it with the support it needs to serve your body correctly during your commute.

Your spine has a natural curve that it takes in order for your disks and vertebrae to sit correctly on top of one another. In the correct position the body is using less energy to hold itself up, and because the spine is in a more “stable” position, it can absorb more shock. Your body simply exemplifies the basic laws of chemistry, something in its most stable form can absorb a lot more energy before it changes form than when it is in a less stable form.

However, during the commute, when people are sitting in their car, they are often not in the most functional position for their spine, especially their lumbar. This is why so many car commuters have back issues. People often sit either too far away from their steering wheel, or too close to it, and they tend to slouch. This takes support away from your back, rather than adding to it. In addition, when they are uncomfortable, they often try to adjust themselves rather than adjust the car seat. All of these issues cause more stress on the back.

Although it sometimes seems that what you want to do in traffic is sit back in the car and relax, improper spinal posture causes major problems.  Being that the lumbar spine is the basis of back support , if the lumbar spine doesn’t receive support to maintain its natural curve forward, the rest of the spine looses its support system as well. This causes it to be much more susceptible to injury. Lack of lumbar support  can cause many back issues such as bulging disks, degenerative joint disease, and nerve degeneration. For example,  injury to the sciatic nerve which runs from the lumbar (lower) spine can cause numbness and pain throughout the body, and it takes a long time to heal.

Therefore support is imperative to help maintain a functional spine. Simple adjustments in posture, or the purchase of a special pillow that supports the lumbar spine may offset a lifetime of chronic back problems. It is important to invest in your wellness. Remember that prevention is always easier to attain and maintain than treatment. If you are unable to purchase a tool, next time you are sitting in your car, try finding your sit bones. When you are sitting in your car seat move to the edge till you feel the hard bones on the bottom of your buttocks against the seat. Once you find them try and sit up straight with your sit bones on the end of your seat. There, now you have the correct posture, your lumbar spine and all your vertebrae are in line, and it only took a minute.  Try it next time you are in the car commuting to work. Your back will be happier and so will you.